Tagwi Secondary School
Grade 9 Applied Science - SNC 1PE

Teacher: Dr. R. Hammond e-mail: robert.hammond@ucdsb.on.ca
Course Level: Applied Grade: 9
Credit Value: 1 Room: 223

Text: Not Assigned Prerequisite: None


Course Description
This course enables students to develop their understanding of basic concepts in biology, chemistry, earth and space science, and physics, and to apply their knowledge of science to everyday situations. They are also given opportunities to develop practical skills related to scientific investigation. Students will plan and conduct investigations into practical problems and issues related to the impact of human activity on ecosystems; the structure and properties of elements and compounds; space exploration and the components of the universe; and static and current electricity.

Evaluation
The course will be divided into a 70 % term mark and a 30 % summative assessment. The term mark will be evaluated for each of the four areas for achievement (knowledge/understanding, thinking, communication, application) which will be weighted equally.

Knowledge and Understanding: Subject-specific content acquired in each course (knowledge), and the comprehension of its meaning and significance (understanding).

Thinking and Investigation: The use of critical and creative thinking skills and inquiry, research, and problem-solving skills and/or processes.

Communication: The conveying of meaning through various forms.

Application: The use of knowledge and skills to make connections within and between various contexts.

The assessment and evaluation policy at Tagwi is aligned with the Upper Canada District School Board’s “Student Assessment and Evaluation Framework: 2007.”


Learning Skills
Excellent attendance & punctuality, having an organized & complete notebook, completing homework, and participating, cooperating and demonstrating teamwork are other important keys to success that will be assessed and recorded on your reports home using the scale of excellent, good, satisfactory or needs improvement.



Course Content

This course is composed of five content areas (strands):

STRAND
OVERALL EXPECTATIONS
Scientific Investigation Skills and Career Exploration
Ø demonstrate scientific investigation skills (related to both inquiry and research) in the four areas of skills (initiating and planning, performing and recording, analysing and interpreting, and communicating);
Ø identify and describe careers related to the fields of science under study, and describe the contributions of scientists, including Canadians, to those fields.
Biology: Sustainable
Ecosystems and Human Activity
Ø analyse the impact of human activity on terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems, and assess the effectiveness of selected initiatives related to environmental sustainability;
Ø investigate some factors related to human activity that affect terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems, and describe the consequences that these factors have for the sustainability of these ecosystems;
Ø demonstrate an understanding of characteristics of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, the interdependence within and between ecosystems, and the impact humans have on the sustainability of these ecosystems.
Chemistry: Exploring Matter
Ø analyse how properties of common elements and/or simple compounds affect their use, and assess the social and environmental impact associated with their production or use;
Ø investigate, through inquiry, physical and chemical properties of common elements and simple compounds;
Ø demonstrate an understanding of the properties of common elements and simple compounds, and general features of the organization of the periodic table.
Physics: Electrical
Applications
Ø assess the major social, economic, and environmental costs and benefits of using electrical energy, distinguishing between renewable and nonrenewable sources, and propose a plan of action to reduce energy costs;
Ø investigate, through inquiry, the properties of static and current electricity and the cost of the consumption of electrical energy;
Ø demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and principles of static and current electricity.
Earth and Space Science:
Space Exploration
Ø analyse the major challenges and benefits of space exploration, and assess the contributions of Canadians to space exploration;
Ø investigate the properties of different types of celestial objects in the solar system and the universe;
Ø demonstrate an understanding of major astronomical phenomena and of the principal components of the solar system and the universe.

Students must demonstrate a minimum Level 1 achievement of all of the Overall Expectations in order to receive a credit in this course.

Course Materials

You will need to bring the following items to every class:
Ø pens and pencils, eraser, ruler
Ø a binder with plenty of paper (lined and a few sheets of graph paper)
Ø textbook
Ø calculator